170 



fact that they breed in that neighbourhood was established by 

 Dr. House, Government Resident, who showed me a beautiful 

 pair of youno; birds in captivity which had been taken from a nest 

 in the vicinity by a native. They were very tame, and appeared 

 to stand confinement well in the large aviary in which they were 

 kept. Dr. House also showed me several skins he had preserved 

 from birds shot in his paddock. 



No. 25. Platycercus zonarius (Port Lincoln Parrakeet). 



From the commencement of our journey these birds continue to 

 be fairly abundant until reaching Separation Well, after which 

 they were not observed. Near the waterholes they might be seen 

 in pairs or small flocks feeding on the ground or devouring the 

 green shoots of several small plants. With the exception of a 

 solitary pair of the Yellow-collared Parakeet, this was the only 

 representative of the genus found in West Australia during the 

 trip. 



No. 26. Platycercus semitorquatus (Yellow-collared 

 Parrakeet). 



Although these birds are numerous in places between Albany 

 and Fremantle, they seem to avoid the tropics. A single pair 

 was found south of Lake Augusta in the end of July, but, 

 judging from their poor condition, I concluded that they were 

 out of their latitude. Mr. Wells shot them at a waterhole, and 

 although the morning was well advanced, their stomachs con- 

 tained very little food. 



No. 27. PsEPHOTUS MULTICOLOR (Varied Grass Parrakeet). 



These birds were frequently seen between Cue and Lake 

 Augusta, but were not found further north. They were always 

 seen singly or in pairs. They are of an affectionate disposition, 

 and when one bird was shot and left where it fell for a few 

 minutes, its mate invariably returned and perched near for a 

 short time, and then approached the dead one to try and coax it 

 away. They were generally found near water, and prefer mulga 

 or mallee country. 



No. 28. Melopsittacus undulatus (Warbling Grass Parrakeet). 

 Throughout the whole of the country traversed these birds 

 were noted. They were breeding in July and August, and 

 numbers of eggs and young birds were seen. On July 26 Mr. 

 Jones took young birds fully fledged from a hollow limb, in which 

 he found four nests. Two of the latter contained fresh eggs. 

 Other nestlings were seen on August 26. As these birds require 

 to drink frequently, their presence was always noted, and their 

 course watched. They travel immense distances to feed, and in 



